Prospect Jones, 16, banned 50 games

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The Dominican prospect whose $1.3 million contract with the San Francisco Giants was voided because he failed a team-administered drug test will be suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN The Magazine.

Duanel Jones, 16, had agreed to terms with the Giants in December. But upon taking a physical, Jones was administered a drug test, which he failed.

The Giants then voided the deal. After San Francisco voided the contract, MLB conducted its own investigation and determined that Jones had violated baseball's minor league drug policy and therefore suspended him.

Jones, who is now a free agent, can sign with any team. But once he does, he must serve the 50-game suspension once he's assigned to a minor league team.

Jones has been described by some evaluators as a big, strong third baseman with good power and a good arm.

Jones becomes the second top Dominican prospect to have failed a drug test after agreeing to terms. Last year, Yankees signee Damian Arredondo was suspended 50 games for violating the drug policy.

The Yankees had previously voided Arredondo's contract after it was learned he had also been using a false identity.

Jorge Arangure Jr. is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.

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Jorge Arangure Jr.

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• Senior writer for ESPN The Magazine
• Joined ESPN in May 2007